Official Attention!

In Principal Qu's private reception room, Lin Mu and Su Xiaoxiao sat upright.

Soon, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Principal Qu personally opened the door and bowed as he ushered the four people behind him inside.

When they saw who had arrived,

everyone in the room, including Lin Mu, was shocked.

The visitors were none other than Xilin City's mayor, Fan Zhiheng, and Xilin City's Department of Education director, Ji Xiangwen.

After the Great Cataclysm on Blue Star, vocational education had become a nation's foremost priority.

Local Departments of Education were independent of administrative departments.

They were under the jurisdiction of higher-level education authorities.

It could be said that the status of a Department of Education director was no less than, and even faintly above, that of a city mayor!

And now, these two giants had arrived together!

Anyone would have been astonished to see it!

Mayor Fan Zhiheng looked to be in his early fifties.

He had a square face, an imposing air even without anger, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

His sweeping gaze carried the pressure of someone long accustomed to holding power.

Director Ji Xiangwen, on the other hand, appeared far more refined.

He wore black-rimmed glasses and had a gentle gaze.

Behind the two men,

followed two secretaries or assistants with steady auras. They were clearly also high-ranking professionals!

"Mayor Fan! Director Ji!"

Su Zongguo and Liu Minghui bowed almost at the same time.

Liu Minghui's tone carried undisguised respect and nervousness.

Su Zongguo continued, a perfectly measured smile on his face.

"We never expected to trouble you two with a personal visit!"

Fan Zhiheng waved his hand.

His gaze fell directly on Lin Mu and Su Xiaoxiao, his sharp eyes lingering on Lin Mu for a moment.

"President Su, no need for formalities."

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying unquestionable authority.

"We came today for these two outstanding young talents who have brought glory to Xilin City."

Director Ji Xiangwen also adjusted his glasses and revealed a warm smile.

"Hello, Student Lin Mu and Student Su Xiaoxiao."

His gaze lingered on Lin Mu for a few more seconds.

"An SSS-Rank evaluation in a Trial Dungeon, accomplished by a two-person team, with one of them even being a rare Necromancer. This truly is... earth-shattering!"

With a single sentence, he had pinpointed the heart of the matter.

Even though Lin Mu had lived two lives, his heart still stirred slightly at that moment.

The mayor and the Department of Education director had come in person. This degree of importance far exceeded his expectations.

Yet his expression remained calm as he nodded slightly.

"You flatter us, leaders."

Su Xiaoxiao was somewhat nervous, her little face flushed as she followed suit and bowed.

A trace of approval appeared on Mayor Fan Zhiheng's face.

"Neither arrogant nor impetuous. Very good."

He turned to Ji Xiangwen.

"Director Ji, it seems our rising stars are not only exceptionally capable, but also possess excellent character."

Ji Xiangwen nodded with a smile.

"Heroes truly emerge in their youth. The ancients did not deceive us."

He paused, his expression turning solemn.

"You two achieved an SSS-Rank evaluation in clearing the Trial Dungeon. Not only did you break the record in Blue Star's history, you also won enormous honor for Xilin City and even the entire Huaxia Nation!"

"According to the Professional Talent Incentive Regulations and the Xilin City Special Contribution Award Measures, following a joint decision by the city government and the Department of Education, you will both be awarded the Xilin City Rising Star Medal!"

As soon as he finished speaking, one of the people behind Mayor Fan Zhiheng stepped forward.

He held two exquisite velvet boxes in his hands.

Fan Zhiheng personally took the boxes and handed one each to Lin Mu and Su Xiaoxiao.

"This medal not only represents honor. Within Xilin City, you will also enjoy many conveniences. For example, you may enter most officially controlled Dungeon zones without paying entry fees, and receive a twenty percent discount on items purchased from official stores, among other benefits."

Lin Mu accepted the box. It felt slightly heavy in his hand.

He opened it.

Inside lay a silver medal engraved with stars and Xilin City's official flower, the Pomegranate Flower.

Faint energy flowed across its surface.

Director Ji Xiangwen continued.

"In addition, each of you will receive three hundred thousand Nova Coins, which have already been directly transferred by the finance department into your professional accounts."

[ZhiFuBao Account: 300,000 Nova Coins received!]

As he spoke, a deposit notification that only Lin Mu could hear sounded in his ears.

Three hundred thousand!

Together with the one hundred thousand Nova Coins from the school reward, Lin Mu would soon possess the enormous sum of four hundred thousand Nova Coins!

For a professional from an ordinary family who had only just awakened, that was undoubtedly an astronomical figure.

"And this."

Ji Xiangwen took two specially made Storage Talisman Boxes from another accompanying staff member.

"These contain Primary Spirit Nourishing Pills prepared for you by the Municipal Education Bureau, as well as Rare Grade skill books carefully selected according to your occupational traits."

He handed one of the boxes to Lin Mu.

"Student Lin Mu, considering the special nature of your profession, we selected a Rare Grade dark-element skill book for you: Grasp of Bones."

Grasp of Bones?!

Lin Mu's heart stirred.

He had heard of this skill.

It was an offensive skill that could summon a giant skeletal hand.

For a Necromancer, it could greatly compensate for their weakness in damage output.

This was truly timely help!

"Thank you, Mayor Fan. Thank you, Director Ji."

Lin Mu expressed his gratitude sincerely.

These rewards

would undoubtedly be of enormous help to his future development, especially the Wailing Cavern challenge three days later.

Su Xiaoxiao also received her reward.

It was a Rare Grade healing skill book for Priests and Spirit Nourishing Pills. Her little face was full of surprise and gratitude.

Su Zongguo watched from the side.

The smile on his face became ever more genuine as he repeatedly thanked the two leaders.

Fan Zhiheng waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for courtesy.

He looked at Lin Mu, his eyes growing more profound.

"Student Lin Mu, we have all seen your potential. It is Xilin City's fortune to produce a talent like you."

His tone shifted slightly, becoming meaningful.

"We already know about Shengjing Academy's challenge. Mentor Mu Wanqing has always acted this way, strict but fair."

Ji Xiangwen also added,

"The Wailing Cavern is extremely difficult. At your current level, it truly is a near-certain death sentence. However, since you dared to accept it, you must have your own support to rely on."

He paused, encouragement in his eyes.

"The city and the Department of Education cannot directly interfere with Shengjing Academy's assessment. But the Wailing Cavern is, after all, on our turf."

"If you need any help within the rules, such as Dungeon information, special training venues, or restorative potions, you may request them from the school or directly from the Department of Education."

These words were undoubtedly an enormous gesture of goodwill toward Lin Mu.

Lin Mu felt warmth in his heart and thanked them again.

"Thank you for your concern, Mayor Fan and Director Ji. I will act within my limits."

This goodwill was based on the value and potential he had displayed.

But at that moment, he was indeed just a tiny bit moved!

Fan Zhiheng and Ji Xiangwen offered a few more words of encouragement.

They mainly emphasized their hope that the two would make even greater contributions to Xilin City and the Huaxia Nation in the future.

Throughout the whole process,

Qu Qingfeng and Liu Minghui could barely get a word in. They could only stand to the side, smiling and nodding along.

Yet inwardly, they had long since been overjoyed.

Lin Mu and Su Xiaoxiao's performance

had undoubtedly brought supreme glory to the Second Vocational Academy.

Their future careers, as well as the higher authorities' allocation of educational resources to the academy,

would all benefit greatly because of this!

After the rewards had been distributed and they had briefly discussed future plans,

Fan Zhiheng and Ji Xiangwen rose to take their leave, citing their busy official duties.

Before leaving,

Mayor Fan Zhiheng gave Lin Mu a meaningful look.

That gaze seemed as though it wanted to say something.

But in the end, it only became a simple sentence: "Work hard."

Only after the two big shots had left did the atmosphere in the reception room suddenly relax.

Qu Qingfeng and Liu Minghui let out long breaths.

Their faces were filled with uncontrollable excitement.

"Lin Mu, Lin Mu, you truly... gave us an enormous surprise!"

Qu Qingfeng said excitedly, patting Lin Mu on the shoulder.

Su Zongguo also walked over with a smile.

"Lin Mu, Uncle Su was right about you! If you ever need help in the future, just speak up. As long as it's in Xilin City, your uncle still has a bit of influence."

Lin Mu responded to each of them.

He knew that from this day onward, his standing in Xilin City would be completely different.

All of it was built upon his SSS-Rank evaluation and his unknown innate talent.

"Lin Mu, I'll have the finance department transfer the school's one hundred thousand Nova Coins immediately. I'll take you to collect the reward equipment first!"